The night was thick with silence as Lukas sat in his private chambers, the glow of a single candle illuminating the alchemy tome spread out before him. The instructions for the pill he needed to cure his uncle were detailed, complicated, and required ingredients that were rare. But Lukas was determined. This wasn't just about healing his uncle—this was a test of his newfound skills, a test of his resolve to begin the transformation of House Veridan.
He took a deep breath, his fingers tracing the words on the page. Each step was ingrained in his mind, and though the task was daunting, he felt ready. The system had enhanced his learning abilities, allowing him to grasp concepts faster than ever before. With the knowledge integrated into his very being, Lukas could almost feel the essence of each ingredient, visualizing how they would interact to create the pill.
Tomorrow, he would visit the alchemists in the capital to gather what he needed.
---
The next morning, Lukas left the estate early, Zane accompanying him as always. The streets of the capital bustled with activity as merchants set up their stalls, selling everything from food and fabrics to rare herbs and ingredients for alchemy. Lukas moved with purpose through the crowd, his eyes scanning for the signs of an apothecary.
"Think they'll have what you need?" Zane asked, his voice low as he glanced around.
"They'll have it," Lukas replied, his confidence unwavering. "I've studied the markets. The apothecaries here trade with merchants from all over the kingdom. What I need will be expensive, but it's available."
After some searching, they found the apothecary, a small but well-kept shop nestled between two larger merchant houses. The smell of dried herbs and strange powders greeted them as they entered.
Lukas approached the counter, his tone curt and professional. "I need these ingredients." He handed the shopkeeper a list, who raised an eyebrow as he read it.
"This is quite the list," the shopkeeper said, his voice skeptical. "Some of these items aren't easy to come by."
Lukas set a heavy pouch of gold on the counter. "I'm sure you can find them."
The man eyed the pouch for a moment, then nodded. "Give me a few minutes."
---
An hour later, Lukas and Zane returned to the estate with the ingredients carefully stored in a leather satchel. Lukas wasted no time, retreating to his chambers to begin the process of creating the pill. His mind was focused, every step of the alchemical process ingrained in his thoughts.
He prepared the fire, the mortar and pestle, and laid out the rare herbs and powders in precise order. The room filled with the faint scent of crushed leaves and ground roots as he worked, his hands moving with a careful, deliberate grace. Every step, every mixture, every adjustment was crucial. This was the first time he had attempted something of this magnitude, and failure was not an option.
Hours passed, the sun sinking below the horizon as Lukas completed the final stage of the process. He held his breath as the liquid mixture in the small cauldron condensed into a glowing golden pill, shimmering with an ethereal light.
[System Alert: Advanced Cleansing Pill successfully created.]
The system's confirmation filled him with relief. He had done it.
Lukas carefully placed the pill in a small, ornate box and went straight to his uncle's quarters. The old general sat by the window, just as he had before, staring out at the garden. His expression remained guarded as Lukas approached.
"I've made the pill," Lukas said quietly, holding out the box.
His uncle eyed the pill with a mixture of skepticism and hope. "You really believe this will work?"
Lukas nodded. "It will cleanse your body of the poison that's been weakening you. It will repair your meridians. You'll be able to regain your strength."
The old general stared at Lukas for a long moment before finally taking the pill from the box. "If you say so, boy."
He swallowed it with a single gulp, his face tense with anticipation. For several minutes, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a glow began to emanate from his chest, spreading outward through his body. His uncle's eyes widened as he felt a warmth course through his veins, a sensation he hadn't experienced in years.
Lukas watched intently as his uncle's fingers twitched, and then, for the first time in over a decade, he moved his legs. The old general let out a breathless laugh, tears glistening in his eyes.
"It's working," he whispered. "I can feel it."
Lukas couldn't help but smile. The process of recovery would take time, but his uncle would heal. And once he was fully restored, Lukas would have a powerful ally in his bid to build the elite forces he envisioned.
---
Later that evening, Lukas met with his grandfather in the estate's main hall. The old general, still fuming from the assassination attempt on his grandson's life, had been quietly investigating those responsible. Though no solid evidence had been uncovered, his suspicions had settled firmly on the prime minister.
"There are spies in this city," his grandfather growled. "Spies who would see us fall. The prime minister is behind it, I'm sure of it. But I can't prove it yet."
Lukas listened quietly, his mind already working through how he could deal with this new threat. But there was more on his mind.
"I need to use the estate's funds," Lukas said, his tone measured. "I've started gathering resources, but we don't have much. I'll need more to build the forces we need to defend the estate."
His grandfather frowned, his brow furrowing. "The estate's coffers are nearly empty. The war has drained us dry."
Lukas clenched his fists. He had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed only added to the weight of his ambitions. "Then I'll find another way to make money."
His grandfather eyed him with curiosity. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Lukas smiled faintly. "I have a few ideas."
---
The next morning, Lukas ventured into the capital once again, this time with a new purpose. His plans for building an intelligence network were starting to take shape, but first, he needed to gather funds to support his ambitions. The market was alive with opportunity, and Lukas was determined to take advantage of every chance he could get.
As he wandered through the crowded streets, he noticed the same group of noble sons he had encountered the previous day—Alric, the son of the prime minister, and his entourage. They were gathered around a gambling table, laughing and shouting as they placed their bets.
A smile tugged at Lukas's lips. This would be the perfect opportunity to raise the money he needed.
---
By the end of the day, Lukas had swindled the noble sons out of their wealth, just as he had planned. His purse was now heavy with gold, and his mind was already working through how he would use it.
The creation of the pill for his uncle had given him confidence in his abilities. Now, it was time to expand his influence. The estate's guards would be the first step—he would train them, mold them into a force to be reckoned with. Then, he would build the intelligence network he had envisioned, gathering information from every corner of the kingdom.
But first, the spies in the estate had to be dealt with.
Lukas returned to the estate that evening, his mind racing with plans for the future. He had laid the foundations for his rise to power, but there were still enemies lurking in the shadows. The road ahead was dangerous, but Lukas was ready for whatever came next.